The Most Popular Room

A kitchen remodels done the right way has the power to change your everyday life. It is the harmonious balance between functionality and design. If one exists without the other, it is a series of unfortunate events. Your primary use for your kitchen can and will vary over time, but your habits ultimately drive the layout. Various design choices can be as large as cabinet color or as small as grout color for the backsplash.

 

Super Size

            If you have a spacious kitchen from the start, you can update it aesthetically and you are good to go! Most homeowners want their kitchen to be larger to accommodate family, multiple cooks, social gatherings, entertaining, and open floor plan living. One option is to take down a wall or two. This will allow the kitchen to expand into the other spaces and give you a semi-open floor plan. If you prefer a more traditional floor plan, an addition off of the kitchen can yield supplementary space that will not go to waste.

Location, Location, Location

Appliance placement is one of the main drivers of the layout. The kitchen work triangle connects the three main areas of the kitchen - stovetop, fridge, and sink. You want there to be a natural flow between the three with no obstructions. Ideally, the sink faces a window or out into the open concept space. Ample countertop space near the oven and stove is imperative to place hot items. There are various options for the location of the microwave: above the stove, as a drawer microwave, like a microwave oven combination, or placed along with the wall cabinets. 

Traffic Pattern

No one likes a traffic jam - especially in the kitchen. It is an absolute necessity for there to be spacious walkways. At the very least 36 inches from counter to counter, but ideally more. This is the golden number for the space between the peninsula and island or island to island. If you have more than one person preparing food, 48 inches is the number to aim for.  If you have children that are consistently running through the kitchen, consider placing the fridge on the outer edge of the kitchen. This will help to alleviate jams and free up the space around the hot stove.

Purpose

In our experience, creating kitchen islands or enlarging an existing island is the most requested item for kitchen remodels. Before we can create the island of your dreams, please reflect on the primary purpose of the space. Do you plan to have breakfast there? Will your kids sit on the island to do their homework? Will the island become your “full-time” dining table? Do you wish to do your food prep there and therefore need ample counter space? Is cooking a group activity that the household enjoys together? If this sounds like your family, then you might want the cooktop to go into the island. Do you need more storage space? Consider a smaller countertop overhang and back-to-back 24-inch depth base cabinets. Will it become an entertaining space for social gatherings? Do you want your primary or secondary sink on the island? These are all things to evaluate before finalizing your kitchen design.

Stone Age

Depending on your kitchen size, the countertops can make up a very large part of the design. Busy granite or quartz can be a statement depending on the variation and movement in the stone. All white kitchens can still have white countertops with grey or taupe veining to add more character and neutral colors to the space. Selecting a specialized edge for your stone can also add a more custom look. Ogee edges convey a traditional look whereas a bevel or ½ bevel edge is more transitional. Waterfall edges are extremely popular in modern kitchens. The continuous stone down the side of the cabinet ends is a clean and stylized choice but that can be quite pricey depending on your material. 

Double Duty

Doubling up on appliances can be perfect for a cook with a busy kitchen, a large family, or the entertainer in the neighborhood. A refrigerator and bar fridge are the answer for optimal hosting. Two dishwashers make cleaning up for a busy family a breeze. A double oven will let the chef in your life cook twice as much. A pot filler over the stove is a fantastic idea for when the sink is occupied and you don’t want to carry a heavy pot across the kitchen. Consider the possibilities!

Customize

Cabinet lines offer varying amounts of customization. There are numerous systems available to improve your tidiness and efficiency in the kitchen. Trash bins integrated into the cabinets, spice organization, pull-out drawers, peg, and board inserts to stack plates, cookie sheet dividers, deep drawers to properly store large pots, USB charging drawers, silverware organizers, wine storage, open shelving and so much more. Put your kitchen to work for you!

Color By Cabinet

The color of your cabinets will be one of the most prominent colors in your kitchen. There are benefits to choosing a classic color such as white or off-white. White cabinets are a crowd favorite and will definitely help appeal to the masses if you are considering selling your home within the next five years. Alternatively, if this is your forever home, consider choosing a color that you have always loved such as blue or deep green. Mixing wood tones and painted cabinets have been more popular in the last few years. This is a perfect way to maintain the warmth but still includes white cabinetry.

Harmony

The design process can be overwhelming and one that makes you second guess yourself. It is exciting to select new materials and get a glimpse of what your future space will look like. However, selecting a singular “wow” piece will be advantageous in the long run. Let’s say you have sage green cabinets. That is a showstopping choice and that will be your focal point. Green cabinets, with a colorful backsplash and patterned floor tile, become too much for the eyes. Conversely, if you want white cabinets for your new kitchen, it is a good idea to consider a backsplash that has texture, and color and will make you smile when you look at it.

Jewelry of the Kitchen

The hardware on your cabinetry is the finishing touch to a stunning kitchen. The finish of your hardware can blend in seamlessly or stand out as its own stand-alone item. You can choose to match the finish of the hardware to your sink faucet or utilize a complementary color such as matte black and brushed brass. Knobs and handles can work together or separately. Some homeowners like to put pulls on drawers and knobs on doors. Others prefer to put pulls on every piece of cabinetry. There is no wrong way to do it.

 

Final Thoughts

I recommend taking a ton of “before” photos of your space prior to the demo beginning. You may think, “I could never forget the way my kitchen looked before.” Comparing the “after” photos from the exact same angle as the “before” pictures, will give you a deep appreciation for the amazing transformation, the numerous decisions you made, and how far your space has come and is a fun thing to show friends and family when they ask. Enjoy the process and more importantly - love your home.